SPORTS LEDGER February/March 2025 Read Free Online at www.TheSportsLedger.com Page 6 The
Former cheerleader to be Grand Marshal for 2025 Mobil 1Twelve Hours of Sebring Auburn's Abbie Stockard Named Miss America
Abbie Stockard, Miss America 2025, has been named grand marshal of the 73rd running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Stockard, 22, was crowned Miss America in the annual competition in Orlando in January. A nursing student from Auburn University, and a former Auburn cheerleader, she was named Miss Alabama last June before the start of her senior year. She will give the command to start engines to the nearly 60-car field at 10 a.m. on March 15, 2025 in Sebring, Florida. Stockard will be joined at Sebring by Miss Florida, Casana Fink, who also competed in the 2025 Miss America pageant. Fink finished third runner up in the competition, also a significant accomplishment for the Ocala native and University of Florida graduate. “Drivers and teams have come to Sebring international Raceway for almost 75 years in hopes of being at the top of their field, and Abbie has already achieved that level of success both through the Miss America competition and her many achievements early in her life,” said Wayne Estes, president of Sebring International Raceway. “We are honored to have both the current title holder of such a prestigious competition join us at Sebring, and her participation will be
Stockard experienced the transformative power of an active and balanced lifestyle. This passion inspired her personal initiative, High Five for Kids, which promotes the importance of establishing healthy habits early in life. Guided by five key pillars of health, the program teaches children that wellness is not a set of rules but an exciting and attainable way of life. Through High Five for Kids, she encourages children, including those with chronic illnesses like CF, to embrace their potential and make positive choices that will serve them for a lifetime. Inspired by her best friend, Maddie, Stockard is a passionate advocate for CF. She was honored as the “2024 Hero of Hope” by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and named an Official National Ambassador for the organization. Her advocacy efforts have raised more than $200,000 for CF research, including leading Alabama’s largest CF fundraiser and collaborating with researchers nationwide to accelerate progress toward a cure. Abbie exemplifies the organization’s mission of service, scholarship, and leadership. She strives to empower ambitious young women, leaving a legacy of advocacy and purpose while continuing her relentless fight for a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
NASCAR Photo by Chris Graythen, Getty Images William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2025 in Daytona Beach, FL. Daytona 500 Teams Reach 2025 AHSAA Final Four
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger Several high school basketball teams in The Sports Ledger's Northeast Alabama print edition coverage area have reached the AHSAA State Final Four Basketball Tournament. The girls teams by classification include: Class 1A: Spring Garden Class 2A: Pisgah Class 3A: Sylvania Class 4A: Plainview Class 5A: Scottsboro classification include: Class 2A: Section Class 3A: Glencoe Class 4A: Plainview Class 5A: Guntersville Class 6A: Gadsden City The boys teams by
Courtesy Photo
Miss America Abbie Stockard
remembered as yet another significant event within the storied Mobil 1 Twelve Hour of Sebring.” With plans to pursue a career as a pediatric nurse, Stockard will fully fund her education using the $89,000 in scholarships she earned through the Miss America Opportunity. Her commitment to service extends beyond health advocacy. She has worked with state and national leaders to advance impactful legislation and plans to continue using her platform
to amplify awareness for Cystic Fibrosis while demonstrating the powerful influence of women in leadership. A dedicated Mission Partner and Best Buddies Champion, Stockard also has raised funds for the American Heart Association (AHA) and was recognized with the prestigious AHA Go Red for Women Leadership Award during the Miss America Competition. As a member of Auburn University’s Tiger Paws Dance Team,
Alli Murdock shoots the ball during the Sylvania Rams game against Sardis earlier this season.
The Guntersville varsity boys basketball team will be competing in the 2025 Final Four State Tournament. The Wildcats are set to face Vigor on February 26 at 4:30 p.m. Guntersville earned this year's trip to the state tournament by defeating Brewer 63-54 in the Class 5A Northwest Regional finals. The Wildcats had two players reach double figures in the Regional Championship. CJ Scott had 22 points, while teammate Dadrien Waller scored 14 points. Guntersville defeated East Limestone 70-56 in the opening round of the tournament. Waller had 24 points in that game, while Scott added 14. Cameron Logan shown above shooting the basketball against rival Albertville, also reached double figures against East Limestone with 11 points. Albertville reached the 7A Northeast Regional Semi-finals, where they fell to Hoover 70-36. Final Four Bound Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Albertville's Gracyn Robeson (No. 20) makes a play during the 2025 regular season at Guntersville. The Lady Aggies defeated Guntersville and went on to compete in the program's first ever Class 7A Girls Northeast Regional Tournament at Jacksonville State University. Albertville opened the tournament with a 43-40 victory over Vestavia Hills. However, the Lady Aggies' season came to an end in the championship game, as the program fell to Hoover 84-72. Albertville Girls Fall in Regional Finals Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
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